AN ALLOA drug dealer, who kept his stash in a woman's home, has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

Jack Inkster, formerly of Whiteyetts Drive, Sauchie, now of Fenton Street, Alloa, appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court last Thursday, and was told he came close to jail time over the offence.

He admitted that on May 26, on the A91 near to Manor Powis roundabout, at Scott Crescent, Alloa, Fenton Street, Alloa, and Whiteyetts Drive, he was concerned in the supply of cocaine and ketamine.

Depute fiscal Rachel Wallace said police on patrol had stopped Inkster's car and found in his possession £320 in cash plus a key for a house in Scott Crescent.

Police then received intelligence that Inkster stored drugs at a female's home in Scott Crescent.

When officers went there, the female handed over drugs in a bag saying: "What you're looking for is in there."

When Inkster's home was searched over £7500 in cash was found. The drugs recovered were 62 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of £3500 to £4900 and 36 grams of ketamine with a value of around £780.

The court was told that Inkster, 22, is in employment and is a qualified electrician.

Sheriff Neil Bowie told Inkster he had come close to custody.

Instead, he imposed a community payback order with 300 hours of unpaid work and two years of supervision.

Inkster was also put on a restriction of liberty order for nine months.